Research on gamma-ray irradiation-assisted synthesis of cross-linked polystyrene via bulk polymerization

Controlling heat accumulation is one of the major challenges for block materials synthesizing via bulk polymerization. In the paper, cross-linked polystyrene was successfully fabricated by the combination of bulk polymerization and gamma-ray irradiation in the range of 8.5–34.0 kGy. The cross-linking network structures were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer and dynamic mechanical analysis. The thermal stability and the mechanical properties were analyzed as well. Results showed that the products synthesized at dose of 34.0 kGy with dose rate of 40 Gy/min achieved the best mechanical strengths. The thermal stability could be improved with the increase of dose ranging from 8.5 to 34.0 kGy.